Is the cannabinoid CBN a controlled drug, read this https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-a-controlled-substance-yes.-no.-maybe

1. 9/29/2020 Is CBN a Controlled Substance? Yes. No. Maybe?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-a-controlled-substance-yes.-no.-maybe 2/13
CBN LEGAL OR NOT?
ll d b

2. 9/29/2020 Is CBN a Controlled Substance? Yes. No. Maybe?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-a-controlled-substance-yes.-no.-maybe 3/13
Is CBN a Controlled Substance? Yes. No.
Maybe?
Is CBN on the CBD side or the THC side of the law?
Posted by:
Chiara C, today at 12:00am
Is CBN a Controlled Substance? Yes. No. Maybe?
The large number of bene ts that are derivable from cannabis is due to the class of plant molecules embedded in the
plant matrix known as cannabinoids. Cannabis plays host to over 100 cannabinoids, terpenes, and avonoids. The
synergy of the actions of these phytochemical molecules accounts for the numerous health bene ts attributed to
cannabis. The two prominent cannabinoids of cannabis that need no introduction in the cannabis world are THC and
CBD but a good number of the other cannabinoids are also quite bene cial individually. One such cannabinoid is CBN.

3. 9/29/2020 Is CBN a Controlled Substance? Yes. No. Maybe?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-a-controlled-substance-yes.-no.-maybe 4/13
What is CBN? (https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/what-is-cannabinol-cbn)
CBN or cannabinol is a cannabinoid that is derived by the oxidation and decomposition of THC. The interpretation of
this is that CBN is gotten when THC is heated and exposed to carbon dioxide. The implication of this degradation is
evident in the psychoactive nature of CBN as it is less psychoactive than THC but still more psychoactive than CBD. One
major bene t of CBN that largely complements its reduced psychoactive nature is that it gives and calming and sedative
e ect in removing sleep disturbances and makes sleep easier. This e ect follows suit alongside one of the prominent
e ects of CBD.
Is CBN a controlled substance?
Much like with THC and CBD, to understand the laws that are guiding CBN we must look at the stance of the FDA and
how it classi es the substance. This is done bearing in mind that the FDA still sees cannabis as a Schedule 1 narcotic
drug despite the fact that a good number of states have legalized the use of cannabis medically and recreationally. The
FDA regulates cannabis and the products of its compounds under the 2018 Farm Bill and Section 351 of the Public
Health Act. The Drug Exclusion rule also follows suit on that by making it illegal to add products such as CBD in dietary
supplements. This is because the FDA has approved the use of CBD in Epidiolex for rare forms of seizures in children.
This makes CBD a non-exempt drug that cannot be put in dietary supplements under this act.
When it comes to CBN however, the case is a bit di erent because CBN is yet to be approved as a drug and so it does
not fall under the jurisdiction of this law yet. The rule exempts products that are already being marketed as food and
dietary supplements which CBN is already been marketed as. This means that since CBN is already been marketed as
dietary supplements prior to FDA clinical investigation of CBN as a drug, it won’t be covered under the non-exempt drug
rule. This stands sure as long as manufacturers stay clear of unapproved health claims.
Before delving more into the peculiarities surrounding the legality of CBN in the United States and whether it is a
controlled substance or not, we must rst look into how it fairs on the international scene. CBN is not controlled by
international treaties neither is it covered under the UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961. The implication of this is
that CBN is legal under international laws and can be exported. With the increase in the talk of CBN experienced in the

4. 9/29/2020 Is CBN a Controlled Substance? Yes. No. Maybe?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-a-controlled-substance-yes.-no.-maybe 5/13
media in 2019, the stage looks set for many cannabis companies with fewer FDA entanglements when it comes to CBN.
The only problem that might still linger is the problems with the technology needed for the conversion of CBN from
THC.
The argument that surrounds whether CBN is a controlled substance is far from over as it becomes confusing when
viewed from di erent ends. One of those ends is from the aspect of the Controlled Substances Act. This act de nes
marijuana as all parts of the cannabis plants and exempts the cannabis stalks and on-viable seeds. The cannabis stalks
and non-viable stalks are removed due to the fact that they contain a limited number of cannabinoids. The 2018 Farm
Bill, however, removes hemp from the CSA de nition of marijuana. This seems to approve CBN derived from hemp
because hemp is regarded as all parts of the cannabis plant that has cannabinoids and THC concentration that is less
than0.3%.
One argument or theory that has always seem to place CBN into the category of controlled substances although not in
plain terms is the Federal Analogue Act. The act states that any chemical intended for human consumption and is
substantially similar to a controlled substance listed in Schedule I and II of the Controlled Substance Act, the substance
is treated as a Schedule I and II substance. The exemption by the CSA of THC derived from hemp under 0.3% still a ects
this argument as to whether we CBN a controlled substance or not irrespective of its source.
CBN as said earlier is quite di erent from THC and less potent. It is also gotten by mechanical conversion from THC. This
makes the explanation of THC derived from hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill a bit confusing because it seems to follow
the line that only CBN derived from THC in hemp is regarded as lawful. The 2018 Farm Bill legalizes the derivatives,
extract, and cannabinoids of hemp. However during the course of processing hemp THC there's an increase in
concentration of THC above the 0.3% acceptable limit. This further confuses the stance as to whether CBN should be
from processed hemp. Ultimately, the present state that we are in is that things aren’t exactly clear cut when it comes to
CBN and its classi cation as a controlled substance or not.
Bottom line
While more work is still being done, prior to a clearer understanding of the stance of CBN as a controlled substance or
not, cannabis companies will have to exercise care. Particularly in the aspect of producing CBN from THC extracted from
hemp. Cannabinol still remains a possible gem for the cannabis industry and with the di erent sorts of changes that are

5. 9/29/2020 Is CBN a Controlled Substance? Yes. No. Maybe?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-a-controlled-substance-yes.-no.-maybe 6/13
expected in the cannabis world, we could see a time in the not too distant future where CBN is actively utilized.
WHAT IS CBN ALL ABOUT, READ MORE...
(https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/what-is-cannabinol-cbn)
WHAT IS CBN, A CANNABINOID FOR HEALTHY HEALING! (https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/what-is-cannabinol-cbn)
OR..
(https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-the-next-cannabis-craze-no-
o ense-cbd)

6. 9/29/2020 Is CBN a Controlled Substance? Yes. No. Maybe?
https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-a-controlled-substance-yes.-no.-maybe 7/13
IS CBN THE NEXT BIG THING AFTER CBD? READ THIS! (https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/is-cbn-the-next-cannabis-
craze-no-o ense-cbd)
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